US299577A - Henry e - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) v 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

H. E. PIGKET. HYDRAULIC GONOENTRATOR AND AMALGAMATOR. No. 299,577. a v Patented June 8, 1884.

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(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2. H. E. PIGKET.

HYDRAULIC UUNGENTRATOR-AND AMALGAMATOR.

No. 299,577. v Patented June 3, 1884.

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(No Model.) 3 Sheets--Sheet 3.

H. E.- PIOKET. HYDRAULIO CONGENTRATOR AND AMALGAMATOR.

Patented June 3, 1884.

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HENRY n. PIGKET, or BRADFORD, rEnNsYLvANIA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 299,577, dated June 3, 1884.

Application filed January 29, 1884. (No model.)

To a whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, HENRY E. PIOKET, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bradford, in the county of McKean and State of Pennsyl- 5 van'ia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in HydraulicOon centrators and Amalgamators; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled 1o inthe art to which it appertains to make and usethe same, reference being had to the accomanying drawings, and to theletters of reference marked thereon, forming part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in hydraulic concentrators and amalgamators in which the concentrating or amalgamating is done in a tank,(preferably lined with amalgamating-plates,) which tank receives the ma- 2o terial to be concentrated or amalgamated,with

its attendant dirt or other base material, in a crushed or disintegrated form, said tank being supplied with water under pressure through a series of diagonal jets by means of 2 5 conduits on the under side of the said tank or by means of a sluice or pipes, the diagonal jets being in this case supplied with compressed air or steam, the force of the jets in either case agitating the water and material 'in the tank and causing them to travel toward atailings-tank attached to one end of the main tank,which receives and discharges the waste material and water, the valuable portion of the material having in its passage adhered to 3 the amalgamating-plates by being brought into contact therewith, or because of its gravity falling to and remaining at the bottom of the tank before arriving at the openings ofthe tailings-tank.

The objects of my invention are, first, to construct the bottom of the tank of a hydraulic concentrating and amalgamating machine of V-shaped angles running lengthwise thereof, the bottoms of said angles being provided with one or more rows of adjustable jet-tubes extending through the bottom of said angles into conduits under said tank, adapted for supplying air, steam, or Water under pressure through said jets to said tank; second, to construct the angles in the bottom of the tank with their lower points flattened, so as to form plane surfaces upon which to attach j et-tubes commu- "angle of the jet.

nicating with conduits on the under side of the tank; third, toconstruct on one end of the main tank a tailings-tank provided with an angular bottom, and a steam-jet or siphon pump for removing the refuse material therefrom; fourth, to construct covers for the main tank capable of being locked down to prevent the contents of the tank from being interfered with; fifth, the construction of said main tankwith arotary screen mounted on one end thereof,with a flume or sluice adapted to convey water and material to be concentrated to said rotary screen and to partially disintegrate the same, and also to catch and retain the coarser particles of metal before delivering the material to the revolving screen; sixth, the construction and arrangement of the jets in the bottom of the tank. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1' is a perspective view, in elevation, of my improved machine, with the flume or sluice and driving-belt broken off. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of my improved machine on line 'y y in Fig. 3, showing the arrangement and action of j ets, the end of the screen and conduit-pipes being in elevation. Fig. 3 is an end view of the tailings-tank and the arrangement of the conduits for supplying the jets, the revolving screen and supporting frame being left off. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional elevation of the tailingstank attached to the main tank on line 00 x in Fig. 2, showing, partly in section, the steam -jet for removing tailings therefrom, and showing the openings therefrom into the main tank, also showing the shape of the lower points of the angles of the main tank, the revolving screen and supporting -frame being left off. Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a portion of the bottom of one of the angles of the main tank and a conduit under the same, together with one mode of construction and arrangement of the jet-openings. Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical section of the j et-openings shown in Fig. 5, showing the transverse Fig. 7 is alongitudinal vertical section of the same j et-opening, showing the longitudinal angle of the jet. Fig. 8shows a nipple suitable for connecting the jets with the conduits under the tank. Figs. 9 and 10 show modified forms of the jets constructed so as to be adjustable. Fig. 11 shows a vertical section of the adjustable jettubes, shown as screwed into the jet-openings in Figs. 9 and 10. Fig. 12 shows a transverse vertical section of a jet-tube constructed of suitable size and shape to be screwed over the nipple (shown as Fig. 8) and used as asingle jet. Fig. 13 is a transverse vertical section of the main tank of my machine on line a in Fig. 2, with the revolving screen left off, showing the arrangement of the amalgamatingplates lining the tank, and a modified arrangement of the jets; also, a modified form of conduit for supplying compressed air, steam, or water through the jets to the tank.

Like letters refer to like parts throughout all the figures.

In constructing my machine the main tank A, I construct preferably of iron or steel, though it may be constructed of plank or other material joined together so as to be water-tight. The bottom of the tank I construct of one or more longitudinal V- shaped angles, having their lower points slightly flattened at a a, (shown in Figs. 3, l, and 18,) these flattened surfaces a a serving as bearings for the adjustable jet-tubes, hereinafter described. The sides of the tank A from the top of the V-angles upward are constructed, preferably, nearly perpendicular. One end of the tank A supports the revolving screen B, hereinafter described. This end of the tank Ais constructed with a sloping surface, A, and lined with amalgam plates, hereinafter described,to catch and retain particles of metal as they fall from the screen B thereon. The opposite end, F, of the tank A is constructed, preferably,perpendicular from the bottom a a of the angles to the top of the tank, and is provided with openings F F, near the bottom of said angles, for

communicating with a tailings-tank, G, hereinafter described.

The revolving screen B, hereinbefore referred to, is constructed with openings 0 at either end thereof, one to receive material and one to discharge waste, (the dischargecpening not being shown.) The outside of this screen is made of suitable screening material, and the illside is provided with screw-flights of ordinary construction, (not shown,) or other suitable device for carrying the material from the reccivingtoward the discharge end of the screen. This screen B is mounted in suitable bearings fixed to the sides of the tank A near the sloping end A, so that the lower part of the screen will extend down some distance into the water in the tank A. The screen B is revolved by a belt, E, or other motive power suitable for that purpose. From the receiving end C of the revolving screen B, I construct a fiume or sluice, D, to any point where material is being mined. This flume or sluice is provided with riffles of ordinary construction, (not shown,) which may be charged with quicksilver. The material to be concentrated and amalgamated is washed and carried along the flume or sluice D, and delivered into the revolving screen B by means ol'water, and in its passage through the sluice D is considerably disintegrated and prepared for the action of the screen B, and at the same time the larger particles of metal, which would not pass through the meshes of the screen B, are caught and retained in the riffies in the bottom of the sluice D. The partiallydisintegrated material, having been delivered into the receiving end 0 of the screen B, is, during its passage toward the discharge end of the screen B, completely disintegrated by the action of the water in which the lower part of the screen revolves, and the finer portions sifted through the meshes of the screen into the tank A, and the gravel and coarser material finally discharged at the opposite or discharge end of the screen B.

To the end F of the tank A is attached a railings-tank. G, which is constructed with a Vshaped bottom, G, the lower point of the V being flattened sufficiently to receive the standard or support of the jet or siphon pump H H. This discharge-pump is constructed of a discharge-pipe, H, and a steam-jet pipe, H,

the bottom of the pipeHbeing open, as shown in Fig. 4, and having therein the steam-jet H, which passes down through bottom G of the tailings-tank G, where it connects with the steam-supply pipe. This steam-jet pump operates to remove the tailings from the bottom G of the tailings-tank G as rapidly as they pass through the openings F F from the main tank A. The tailings-tank G is also provided with a waste-chute, I, to carry off the surplus waterfrom the tank, and a waste-cock, I, is placed in the bottom of the tailings-tank G for emptying the tank when desired. Under the bottom of the angles a a of the main tank A, I place conduits J J, preferably formed of ordinary water or steam pipe. They may, however, be constructed in various shapes, and riveted to the tank, as shown at Jin Fig. 13, the form of the conduits not being material. Through the bottoms a a of the angles of the tank A, I screw nipples K K, 850., (shown in Figs. 5 and 8,) leaving their upper ends to project above the bottom of the tank A. I place these nipples as near together as may be practicable-for example, from one and one-half to two inches apart, though they may be placed farther apart, if deemed desirable. Upon the upper ends of these I screw jet-caps L L, 850. which caps are provided with diagonal jet-openings L L, two or more being bored in each jet-cap. These openings L L are bored, so as to throw jets somewhat sidewise each way, and at the same time directed toward the discharge end of the tank, so as to produce a thorough agitation of the contents of the tank, and at the same time move the material forward toward and into the tailingstank G, the last two jets being arranged to pass through the openings F F into the tailingstank G. These jets can be constructed by boring the jet-holes at a suitable angle in the jetcaps L L, or by boring straight holes into the jet-caps L L, &c., and inserting therein jettubes L U, as shown in Figs. 9 aud'10, the

construction of these jet-tubes L L being shown in Fig. 11. These jet-tubes can be adjusted to throw the jets at any angle desired, so as to make the material travel through the tank faster or slower, as desired, by turning them to the right or left, or by changing the jet-tubes and inserting tubes with larger or smaller jet-openings, as may be desired, according to the power or quantity of compressed air, water, or steam it is desired to force into the tank in the form of jets, thus being able to utilize a smaller or a larger amount of water, compressed air, or steam, according to the supply available to be used for that purpose.

If desirable, I. can use single jet-tubes M,

- screwed directly over the nipples K, as shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 13 shows a modified form of the conduits, and also a modified arrangement of the jets, using in this arrangement alternately single and double jets, instead of all double jets, as shown in Fig. 5. I can, however, if' desired, use single jets only, like that in Fig. 12. Any of the forms or arrangements of jets described work Well, and are preferably used according to the kind of material to be worked, as with sticky tenacious material it is necessary to use more jets to operate it successfully, and with light, sandy material a less number of jets work well, and with regard to the passage of material through the tank some kinds require much more jet-power than others to move them through the tank at a proper speed and prevent accumulations, resulting in clogging and preventing the successful working of the machine. The amalgamated plates N N, &c., for lining the tank A, may be made of any suitableshape. I, however, prefer the shape shown in Figs. 2, 5, and 13. Theplates, being in sections, can be readily removed for cleaning and recharging with quicksilver. The angles N N, 850., form steps, which materially assist in catching and retaining particles of metal thrown up by the jets as they fall back, and also serve to retain larger portions of quicksilver on the plates, and prevent it being shaken to the bottom of the tank too rapidly by the vibration of the machine.

The tank-cover O O is made in sections hinged together and' attached to the tank by hooks P P and clasps P, so that they can be rapidly removed entirely from the tank A, and laid aside or partially opened, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or, when desired, entirely closed over the tank up to the revolving screen B, andlocked, so as to effectually prevent any molestation of the contents of the tank A.

The conduits J J under the bottom of the tank A are provided with caps j and plugs j at either end thereof, which can be readily removed in case the conduits or jets become obstructed and require cleaning, or for other purposes. The steam, compressed air, or water used to operate the jets is supplied, by any means (not shown) ordinarily used for such purposes, through the pipe It by its branches RR, connecting with the conduits J J. The steam-jet H in the bottom of the tailings-tank G is supplied by a pipe, S, connecting with a boiler. (Not shown.) The machine maybe mounted on a frame-work support, T T, &c., or upon anyother suitable support.

The blocks U U U, I make, preferably, of vulcanized rubber, so as to admit of a slight vibration of the tank A by the operation of the revolving screen B, thereby causing the quicksilver deposited on the upper row of the amalgamated plates N N, 850., to work down gradually over the plates below toward the bottom of the tank.

In operating my machine, if used with clayey and tenacious material, I preferably supply the material to the revolving screen B through theflume or sluice D, together with sufficient water to supply the tank, and I then operate the jets by compressed air or steam, asis most convenient. The material having passed into the revolving-screen B in a partially disintegrated condition, the screen, in revolving, completes the disintegration of the material, and sifts all the finer portions thereof through its meshes into the tank A below, and that portion which will not pass through the meshes is discharged as coarse tailings from the discharge end of the screen B. Of that portion of the material falling into the tank A the coarser portions of the metal fall immediately upon the amalgamated platesNN at the sloping end A of the tank A, Where it.

is retained. Much of the metal, however, being in fine particles, and encumbered with dirt and other impurities, falls toward the:

bottom of the tank, where it is caught by one series of jets after another and thrown upward, until finally it lodges on someportion of the amalgamated plates N N, &c. The waste which will not adhere to the amalgamated plates, finally reaching the last series of jets, is thrown through the openings F F into the tailings-tank G, when it settles to the bottom, and isthrown out by the steam-jet H as fine tailingsl In working light material, which is comparatively free 1 from clay and tenacious substances, I can dispense with the sluice and deliver the material directly to the revolving IIO screen 13, which will sufficiently disintegrate I material of that kind, in which case I supply the jets with water under sufficient pressure to produce the necessary jet power to operate the machine.

The construction and operation of my invention will be readily understood from the foregoing description bythose conversant with the art to which it relates without further explanation.

I have shown a simple means for removing tailings from the tailings-tank; but it is obvious that other devices would readily suggest themselves to mechanics and others desiring to utilize my machine. Therefore I do not desire to limit myself to the particular construction shown for that purpose; neither do I desire to limit myself to the exact form and construction of the parts of my invention, as it is obvious to those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains that many changes in form and arrangement of parts might be made without departing from the spirit or materially interfering with the successful op eration of my machine.

I am aware that hydraulic concentrating and amalgamating machines have been heretofore constructed embodying some of the features of my machine. For example, tanks therefor have been constructed with angular bottoms, and rotary screens have been used therewith; also, tailings-tanks and various devices for removing tailings therefrom. \Vater-jets have also been used in such machines; but I am not aware of any such machine having been constructed in which a tank having a longitudinal angular bottom has arranged therein jets and jet-tubes which pass through said hottom into conduits under said tank, or in which the jets and jet-tubes so placed are adjustable according to the work to be accomplished by them. Neither am I aware of any construction of such machine in which a steam-j et pump is constructed and arranged in the tailings-tank to remove the tailings therefrom.

I am aware that the cylinders of amalgamating-machines have been provided with covers but"I am not aware of the tank of any concentrating and amalgamating machine of the construction I have described being provided with a removable cover arranged to be locked down as I have done.

I am aware that machines of this class have been heretofore constructed with a hopper, through which the crude material is supplied directly to the revolving screen; but I am not aware of any such machine having been constructed with a fiume or sluice for partially disintegrating and supplying material to the revolving cylinder as I hHNG done.

Having thus fully described the construction and operation of my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure byLetters Patent of the United States, is V 1. In a hydraulic concentrating and amalgamating machine, a tank having a longitudinal angular bottom, in combination with one or more rows of diagonal jets and jet-tubes projecting through the bottom of said tank into conduits under said tank, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. I11 a hydraulic concentrating and amalgamating machine, a main tank having a longitudinal angular bottom, a revolving screen mounted over one end of said tank, andatailings-tank at the opposite end of said tank, provided with means for removing tailings therefrom, in combination with one or more rows of adjustable diagonal jets, and conduits under said tank communicating through the bottom thereof with said jets, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a hydraulic concentrating and amalgamating machine, a main tank having longitudinal V shaped angles in the bottom thereof, provided with jet tubes extending through the bottom of said angles into conduits under said main tank, in combination with a tailings-tank having a steam-jet pump therein, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a hydraulic concentrating or amalgamating machine, the combination and arrangement of the conduits J, the nipples K K, and jet-caps L L, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a hydraulic concentrating or amalgamating machine, the adj ustable jet-tubes L L, in combination with the jet-capsL L, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a hydraulic concentrating or amalgamating machine, the nipples K, extending through the bottom of the angle a in the tank A into conduits under the said tank, in combination with an alternate arrangement of the jet-caps L L with the adjustable jet-tubes M M, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

. 7. In a hydraulic concentrating or amalgamating machine, the tank A, in combination with the conduits J J, provided with caps j j and plugs j j, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY E. PIGKET.

\Vitnesses:

H. J. CUR'IZE, J OHN B. EIOHENLAUB.

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